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Elisabeth Magdalena of Pomerania

1580 – 1649

German duchess consort of Courland

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About Elisabeth Magdalena of Pomerania

Lived 1580 – 1649 (aged 68). Elisabeth Magdalena of Pomerania was a German aristocrat.

Elisabeth Magdalena of Pomerania (14 June 1580 – 23 February 1649), was a Duchess consort of Courland by marriage to Friedrich Kettler.

Elisabeth Magdalena was the daughter of Ernst Ludwig, Duke of Pomerania and of Princess Sophie Hedwig of Brunswick-Wolfenbüttel. She married the Duke of Courland, Friedrich Kettler, on 14 March 1600.

She participated in the politics of the Duchy as the adviser to her spouse during the difficult times when Courland was at war with Sweden and Poland and when there was unrest among the nobility in Courland against the ducal reign. In 1616, her brother-in-law was deposed by the local nobility, and her husband was elected sole ruler of Courland the following year. Elisabeth Magdalena actively participated in this affair. She negotiated with her German relatives to have her brother-in-law rehabilitated, and in 1619, she visited the Sejm in Warsaw to that effect. During the war with Sweden, she became known for her charity, and protected schools and hospitals.

She was childless, and became the foster mother of her brother-in-law's son Jacob Kettler. She actively worked for Jacob to be appointed the successor and heir to the Duchy, an effort which proved to be successful when he succeeded her spouse in 1642. As a widow, she settled at Dobele Castle, where she died.

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Important facts

Family & relationships

Spouse
Friedrich Kettler
Parent
Ernst Ludwig, Duke of Pomerania
Parent
Sophie Hedwig of Brunswick-Wolfenbüttel

People in Elisabeth Magdalena of Pomerania's life

Named in this biography and alive at the same time

Contemporaries

People whose lives overlapped Elisabeth Magdalena of Pomerania's

Frequently asked questions

Who was Elisabeth Magdalena of Pomerania?

German duchess consort of Courland (1580-1649)

When was Elisabeth Magdalena of Pomerania born?

Elisabeth Magdalena of Pomerania was born on 14 June 1580 in Wolgast Castle.

When did Elisabeth Magdalena of Pomerania die?

Elisabeth Magdalena of Pomerania died on 23 February 1649 in Dobele Castle.

What was Elisabeth Magdalena of Pomerania's occupation?

Elisabeth Magdalena of Pomerania was an aristocrat.

What nationality was Elisabeth Magdalena of Pomerania?

Elisabeth Magdalena of Pomerania was German.

Sources & further reading

· Wikipedia: Elisabeth Magdalena of Pomerania

· Wikidata: Q4946464

· DBpedia: Elisabeth Magdalena of Pomerania

Cite this page

APA: Biography.guide. (2026). Elisabeth Magdalena of Pomerania. https://biography.guide/elisabeth-magdalena-of-pomerania/

MLA: "Elisabeth Magdalena of Pomerania." Biography.guide, https://biography.guide/elisabeth-magdalena-of-pomerania/.

Chicago: "Elisabeth Magdalena of Pomerania." Biography.guide. https://biography.guide/elisabeth-magdalena-of-pomerania/.

Data last updated: 2026-09-26 · Spot an error? Report a correction.

Portrait: Wikimedia Commons · author & licence

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